Dolphins sign defensive lineman Vaughn Martin

The Miami Dolphins have agreed to terms with defensive lineman Vaughn Martin, supplementing the depth on the team's defensive line.

Martin, a four-year veteran who was born in Jamaica and raised in Canada, visited the team’s Davie facility earlier this week.

“We are excited that Vaughn is a member of the Dolphins,” Dolphins General Manager Jeff Ireland said. “He is an athletic player that we feel will make a positive impact and bring depth to the defensive side of the ball.”

Martin started 27 games for the San Diego Chargers the last two seasons and amassed 66 tackles and two sacks. His strength is playing the run and at 6-foot-4, 308 pounds he's a better fit for defensive tackle in Miami's 4-3 scheme.

Martin said defensive line coach Kacy Rodgers, who is viewed in NFL circles as one of the league's best, was one of the main reasons he signed a two-year deal with the Dolphins.

"Everyone wants to win. You can see it in their eyes and I was flattered they see me as a piece of their puzzle," said Martin, who said he had offered from the Patriots, Eagles, Chargers, Chiefs and Seattle.

Martin was mostly the left defensive end in the Chargers’ 3-4 scheme. In 2011, he took over after Luis Castillo sustained a broken leg in the opener and started the remaining 15 games. He started 12 games last season, but was rated by ProFootballFocus.com as the NFL's 70th best 3-4 defensive end based on his 474 snaps.

Martin was a fourth-round pick out of Western Ontario (Canada) College in 2009 and was thought to be part of a young Chargers defensive line.

Martin should offer depth and versatility similar to that of Tony McDaniel, an unrestricted free agent who the Dolphins don't intend to re-sign.

"Athleticism, pursuit of the ball, relentlessness and toughness," Martin said, describing what he brings to the Dolphins. "I'm a defensive lineman. In the NFL you have to be interchangeable, inside and outside."

Martin's addition gives the Dolphins five defensive tackles - Paul Soliai, Randy Starks, Kheeston Randall and Chas Alecxih - on the training camp roster. Starting defensive end Jared Odrick, who is 6-foot-5 and 300 pounds, also have the versatility to play inside.